MA in Christian Faith and Practice

If you are a graduate in a discipline other than theology and wish to develop a further sphere of competence in the area of Christian faith and practice then this course is designed for you. By competent and diligent study you will:

• be able to engage critically with the biblical, historical, and theological bases for the practice of Christian faith;
• be able to explain and evaluate the manner in which such biblical, historical, and theological disciplines cohere and may be integrated into practice;
• be able to reflect theologically at Master’s level by expressing independent judgement in analysing evidence, producing critical reviews, and constructing sustainable hypotheses
• be able to focus these bases for reflection in an extended and sustained research project issuing in a coherent and cogently argued dissertation.

The degree is in two parts and can be studied either full-time over one year or part-time over three or four years. Part One comprises six taught modules of 20 credits each and Part Two is a 20,000 word dissertation of 60 credits. Six modules must be selected from the following list of which Research Methods and Studying Theology are compulsory.

• Biblical Hermeneutics*
• Research methods (compulsory)
• Current Issues in Evangelical Theology*
• OT Narrative*
• Hebrew
• OT Theology (Isaiah)
• Eschatology and the Book of Revelation*
• NT Greek
• NT Theology*
• Studying Theology (compulsory)
• History of Evangelicalism*
• Theological Reflection
• Forms and Practice of Spirituality
• Church Planting*
• Islam*
• The Mission of Justice and the Theology of Law

Lectures normally take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

With the prior approval of the Academic Dean, students may select modules to the value of forty credits from any other Master’s course offered by Spurgeon’s, or modules to the value of forty credits from the degree level of the BD course assessed at Master’s level. The compulsory module, Research Methods, assessment is based on one 2,000 word academic journal style article plus a Master’s dissertation research proposal. The other compulsory module, Studying Theology, is assessed by a 5,000 word assignment. All the modules marked * require one 5,000 word essay. For the remainder assessment is based on a mixture of assignments, essays, class tests, theological reflection and examinations. For full details please request a course document from our Admissions Department.

The second part of the degree will consist of a dissertation of not more than 20,000 words (students must complete the first part of the course before proceeding to the dissertation). The dissertation will be the result of the student's own research, and is expected to provide evidence of a person's analytical, evaluative and creative abilities. The subject of the dissertation will reflect the topics covered by Part One of the course. Dissertation titles will be approved by the Academic Dean.

Entry Requirements and Contact information

Qualifications for entry conform to the Regulations of the University of Wales for Master's Degrees by Examination and Dissertation (Modular Structure).

• Applicants will normally be graduates with at least a second class honours degree from an approved institution.
• Non-graduates may also be considered, provided that the applicant is over 25 and has given evidence of sufficient formal or informal learning relevant to the course.
• All applicants should note that irrespective of a person's qualifications, Spurgeon's College will need to be satisfied that a candidate has achieved the necessary academic standard to complete the course satisfactorily.
• To demonstrate this, applicants may be asked to complete modules at an earlier level of study as a preliminary to the MA.

English Language Entry Requirements

If you wish to explore and examine the nature, content and disciplines of Christian faith and practice at post-graduate level, then you should contact our Admissions Department and ask for an application form together with a copy of the course document. Don’t forget, you can always seek information about the course by attending one of our Open Days (click here for information).